Blues look ahead to Australia clash

20 November 2009 17:00

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Cardiff Blues captain Paul Tito is relishing the chance of playing against one of the best teams in the world when the Blues take on Australia next Tuesday.

Tito said, "I've obviously played a few of the Australian players in Super 14 but there are a lot of young ones coming through.They have a young and enthusiastic team that did a good job on Gloucester a few weeks ago."

"These guys have got a good opportunity to push for places, guys like Quade Cooper who got a place in the test team. These players have got a point to prove so they'll be really pushing for higher honours when it comes to the test matches."

"I think it's a touring party so they've got some young guys, who they're trying to blood in for the World Cup. However, I think there a good team and I think we'll see some young and exciting players roll out against the Blues next Tuesday."

Although building for the 20011 World Cup Tito feels that the Australians will be competing for places in the Test team and knows that the youngsters will pose a real threat.

"They've had a pretty up and down start on this tour but they had a good win against England and I'm sure they'll be looking to kick on with the mid-weekers and the Tests coming up. They're quite a skillful outfit with really good skills in their backs."

"They like to give it a bit of air and chuck it about and I'm sure it'll be a good match and if the weather comes good and the crowd comes it should be a fantastic night."

With the big match between Cardiff Blues and Australia only a matter of days away Cardiff Blues Backs Coach, Bill Millard, is looking forward to catching up with some of his former players.

Millard said, "It's going to be a special occasion for me obviously but also for the team," said Millard. "I coached the Australian 7's for about fivr years in total and a lot of these young kids in the Australia squad now came through and Sydney University team."

"So I've seen a lot of them come through the system and looking forward to catching up with them. I'm familiar with a lot of the boys and looking forward to stirring them up, there's already a bit of chat going on."

The Australian was appointed Blues Backs Coach in June 2008 and Millard still keeps a close eye on rugby from down under. "It's been great to see them progress from when I had them and again it's going to be special occasion."

"I thought against England they were excellent, they played very hard at the breakdown and executed some of their plays well. At Gloucester there was a very nice style of play they have nailed and they've had a very good start to the tour, so we're looking forward to meeting them down here."

Tickets for the match to be played on Tuesday 24 November, 7.35pm kick off, are priced from £5 for juniors, £10 for students and £20 for adults. The Blues also have family tickets available, 2 adults & 2 children, for only £40.

British & Irish Lions trio Leigh Halfpenny, Liam Williams and Dan Biggar return to the Wales starting line-up for Saturday's crucial NatWest 6 Nations encounter in Dublin against Ireland where Warren Gatland's men will be seeking their second scalp of the campaign.

Wales forward coach Robin McBryde has given Welsh fans a major boost ahead of this weekend's vital NatWest 6 Nations clash by declaring "Everybody has been given the green light," with injured trio Dan Biggar, Taulupe Faletau and Leigh Halfpenny all back in training.

The Wales squad met back up this morning to prepare for the clash against England - WRU TV caught up with Neil Jenkins who said the squad were under no illusions for their next task but a trip to Twickenham doesn't hold any fears for a confident Wales side.

Wales hooker Ken Owens was delighted to get the NatWest 6 Nations off to a flying start with a convincing win against Scotland, where he says the squad were determined to deliver a performance 'from minute one.'

Welsh referee Nigel Owens will create history in the opening round of the NatWest 6 Nations clash at Stade de France where France face Ireland, when he surpasses the previous record of 17 Six Nations matches held by Alain Rolland and Jonathan Kaplan, as WRU TV's Graeme Gillespie discovers

Just two days until the NatWest 6 Nations kicks off. George North takes WRU TV around the players area at Principality Stadium after going through security - which fans will have to do on Saturday. Gates open at 11.15 - don't leave it late!

Next in the series of #TheTeamRoom we listen in to the first leadership group in camp. The players were asked to nominate their peers who they wanted to represent them on the group and we hear what Warren and the players have to say.